Station Crew Prepares for Japanese Cargo Ship and Shuttle Mission

(NASA) – Expedition 20 flight engineers Robert Thirsk and Frank De Winne were at the robotics work station controls inside the Destiny laboratory Wednesday. The international astronauts were testing their proficiency and checking out the station’s robotic arm, Canadarm2, prior to September’s launch and arrival of Japan’s new H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV).

The Canadarm2 will be used to grapple the cargo-carrying HTV then attach it to the Harmony Node’s Earth-facing berthing mechanism.

NASA astronaut Tim Kopra shows students in Austin, Texas how tools are stored in microgravity. The event took place at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum. Credit: NASA TV

Flight Engineer Michael Barratt and other crew mates spent time pre-packing gear for the upcoming STS-128 mission as well as participating in conferences with experts and family members in Houston.

Flight Engineer and NASA astronaut Tim Kopra talked to students at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin, Texas. Kopra talked about life on the International Space Station and how education and experience are valuable to the career of an astronaut.

Commander Gennady Padalka and Flight Engineer Roman Romanenko worked in the Russian segment of the station performing routine maintenance and science and tagging up with specialists on the ground.